Allergy Testing?

Zascar

Sorry if this is the wrong forum but we don’t really have a “Health” forum… I thought you guys would be most knowledgeable…

A friend of mine told me about an Allergy test you can get done and I want to find out more. There are a few variants of the process, sometimes they hook you up to a machine which gives readings and sometimes they do a “Patch Test” where they put a big bandage on your skin for a day, which has lots of different elements that test your reaction. There is also one where they put something in your left hand and you hold out your right hand horizontally. They then apply pressure on your right hand, and if you are allergic to the substance, you are unable to resist your right hand and it just drops! Sounds ridiculous but its true!

Anyway, has anyone here had it done? What tests are best and where can you get it done? Preferably south Dublin if anyone knows….
Thanks

Mitzy

I have recently had allergy testing done but please don't waste your time or money going to alternative people for these tests. Go to a proper qualified doctor or one who specialises in allergies.
I wasted about 12 months and a lot of money going to various other "quacks" to no avail.
To find out if you have an intolerance to a particular food you will have to go on a fairly strict diet for about 3 months, but it will be worth it in the end.

padi89

As above,a proper qualified allergie specialist only.

WHIP IT!

Can anyone recommend one, and how much are u talking for this? thanks

Mitzy

Can anyone recommend one, and how much are u talking for this? thanks

I'll pm you the name of the doc i went to see. He's in the Hermitage Clinic in Palmerstown. It's €140 for the initial consulation & €90 for each follow up apt.

Frankiestylee

I once heard of a test where they make you "think" of various things while holding a metal bar. Sounds rediculous to me. I'd be very wary of these tests... what test is the medically proven one?

Zascar

There is no way I would Go on a strict diet illiminating various foods, waaay to hard. "Thingking" about a food etc sounds like completel bollocks to me, but I do not think the others are necessarily "Quacks".

liamo

I have an allergy to certain chemicals which was identified by a patch-test. Simple and straighforward.

If you suspect you have an allergy, go to your doctor and s/he will refer you appropriately. Anything else is probably a waste of your time and money.

As for these "alternatives" : I've had many people tell me of their experiences with these so-called Allergy Tests. They've all ended up with the tester telling the testee that they're allergic to dairy, alcohol, sugar, etc. They put them on a diet which focused on fresh fruit & veg, no alcohol or dairy, no soft drinks, sweets, etc. After a couple of weeks of a good diet, of course they feel better. The more niaive of them think "OMG, s/he was right - I AM allergic to <insert foodstuff of choice>".

No-one needs an "alternative" allergy tester to tell them how to eat properly. I put these these people in the same group as psychics, palm-readers, etc. Charlatans, one and all!


Regards,

Liam

nesf

The VHI site briefly describes some of the medical tests that can be done. I'd stay very far away from a lot of the "alternative" test. Quite a few of them are quackery of the highest order.

http://www2.vhi.ie/topic/allergytests